Elderly

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On the 2nd February 2013 Saturday at 2pm. The New Charis Mission partnering with 22 volunteers from Salvo Pte Ltd packed 38 hampers consisting of new year goodies and daily necessities to bless the elderly residents of Ang Mo Kio Blk 217. Together we brought 58 residents many of which are wheel chaired bound, to New Soon Huat Pte Ltd a recent winner of the inaugural Presidents Social Enterprise Award which serves mouth watering Bak kut Teh. Our guest are treated to a sumptuous early reunion dinner. The elderly even started singing Chinese New Year tunes and a volunteer from Salvo even perform a song for the elderly. Everyone was in high spirits as the hampers and "Ang Pows" were given out by our brothers and the volunteers. There was joy and lots of love was felt as the brothers hug the elderly. When it was time to part a sense of reluctance could be felt by all. After sending them back to their homes the brothers and volunteers help to also send the hampers to the individual recipients. It was a night the elderly will remember for a long time to come.

ABOUT ELDERLY MINISTRY

The brothers of The New Charis Mission, led by the Deputy Director, Mr Jack Koh, have been serving the elderly of Blk 217 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 on a weekly basis. At each weekly visit, apart from chatting with the elderly residents, providing what is needed, the brothers also do repairs for damages they observe or have been requested to carry out. The establishment of the relationships allows needs to be met systematically. Commiting to refurbish a home per month since beginning of 2011 and thus far, a total of 20 homes have been refurbished. Since beginning of 2012, it has increased to refurbishing 2 homes per month.

As the ex-offenders contribute back to the society, not only it helps to meet the needs of the society, it also boosts self-esteem of these ex-offenders. TNCM's Deputy Director, Mr Jack Koh says, "It brings us great joy to see the elderly enjoying themselves. We are just so glad that we can bring smiles to their faces."

Home Improvement Projects

Since the beginning of 2011, the ministry has embarked on home renovations and refurbishments of one house per month. The team of brothers would clean and removed accumulated dirt and grime, give the walls a new coat of paint, repair and replace damaged furniture with good conditioned second-hand furniture. The ministry’s objective is to better improve the living environment of the elderly, while benefitting their health and emotional state-of-mind.

Weekly Home Visits / Services

Every week, brothers from the ministry would visit them and find out their needs. The team would prepare and bring down food items such as canned food, rice and biscuits as well as other requested items. For instance, light bulbs, chairs, electric fans, etc.

During the weekly visits, apart from chatting with the residents, the brothers also do repairs for damages they observe or have been requested to carry out. As they establish the rapport and relationships with the elderly, case management is established and the needs are met systematically. For instance, the ministry meets a financial need by referring him or her to the Community Development Council (CDC) for assistance.

Once a month, a few brothers would also go down to provide free haircuts for the elderly residents at the void deck.

Special Festive Occasions

In addition to the weekly home visits and monthly home refurbishments, the elderly ministry also celebrates festivals with the residents by bringing them out and organizing block parties. So far, the ministry has celebrated Chinese New Year by giving out hampers and having a sing-along-session, taken the elderly out to Orchard Road to see the lights for Christmas and organized ‘Good Neighbours Day’ to engage the residents of Block 217.